Counselling and Mental Health Officer, ESOL (Ref: LUM86)

WHAT WE DO

The Student Life team is responsible for the personal development, behaviour and attitude of all our Further Education students, which was judged Outstanding by Ofsted. We directly deliver services to students - safeguarding, welfare and mental health and wellbeing are at the centre of what we do.

The Wellbeing Team sits within the wider Student Life Team, promotes positive student mental health and wellbeing through providing information, leading campaigns and delivering preventative and awareness-raising activities. The team offers a range of short term and longer-term interventions, based on different therapeutic disciplines, including counselling (face to face and remote), structured mental health and wellbeing interventions ( incorporating cognitive behavioural therapy techniques and guided self-help), psychoeducation and information and signposting through wellbeing drop-in sessions.

The Wellbeing Team are looking to recruit a Counselling and Mental Health Officer to work specifically with the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) departments student cohorts. The primary purpose of the role will be to offer short term and longer-term counselling and therapeutic interventions to support the well-being of, and work to alleviate the presenting needs of these students, so that they may effectively engage in their education and progress.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Many students within these cohorts are refugees or claiming asylum and have experienced and witnessed violence, traumatic events and experienced multiple losses.

This role will aim to address some of the barriers to well-being and education faced by these students as a result of these traumatic experiences.

To support student success and retention by delivering high-quality mental health and counselling services, including short term supportive interventions for students experiencing a range of psychological and emotional difficulties.

It is required from the candidate to be able to offer this service remotely (via telephone/video call).

Identify appropriate support interventions through a holistic assessment of student needs, including identifying risks and identifying a package of support, including mobilising external urgent response agencies.

Manage a caseload of students requiring ongoing assistance, providing time-limited counselling, support, signposting and regular review of support needs.

To work to assist students to overcome challenges that can be faced from experiencing traumatic events and alleviate the impact of this on students' engagement in education.

To deliver preventive interventions, including delivery of psycho-education group work sessions, on a range of wellbeing topics.

Develop and maintain effective relationships with the NHS, Mental Health Support Teams, community-based services and the third sector to ensure that students have access to appropriate support, intervention and, where appropriate, care packages in the community.

To provide guidance to staff on student mental health issues and to design and deliver training around mental health awareness and other related topics, to ensure wider staff development.

YOUR PROFILE

The Wellbeing team requires an individual with the following skills and experience:

Professional qualification in counselling or psychotherapy at Diploma level 4 or above or equivalent mental health professional practice qualification.

Primary or additional qualification in therapeutic discipline that is shown to be effective in working with individuals who have experienced trauma or PTSD e.g CBT or EMDR.

Experience in delivering mental health and wellbeing services or counselling in a college or other educational environment.

Proven experience of working in a cross-cultural therapeutic setting where language barriers have to be overcome.

Proven experience working with individuals who are refugees or claiming asylum and have experienced and witnessed violence, and traumatic events in a supportive capacity.

Excellent interpersonal skills which can be adapted to meet the needs of students, colleagues and other partners.

Able to holistically assess risk and need to inform appropriate ongoing actions and package of support.

Able to stay calm and work under pressure and utilise available resources effectively.

Be a good listener who is empathetic and non-judgemental.

Maintain accurate and objective record keeping.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?

For more information about the role please contact:

Anna Pearson - Wellbeing Team Leader

anna.pearson@leedscitycollege.ac.uk